Hair fastener



'Aug; 22 1939. P.VJY. GRAHAM 1 2,170,636

HAIR FASTENER Filed Oct. 19, 1958 Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAIR FASTENER Application October 19, 1938, Serial No. 235,709

6 Claims.

This invention relates to' an improvement in a fastener, and more particularly in a hair fastener or the like of the barrette type for adorning the hair and keeping it neatly in place.

- The invention in this case is an improvement in the type of fastener in which the metal clasp that is clasped to the hair is hidden from view by a non-metallic artistically designed covering.

It has been found that the clasp often slips out of the grasp of the ornamental covering. This invention therefore relates to a means for keeping the clasp in place and prevent its accidental slipping longitudinally of the covering. Also, this invention relates to a means for facilitating the speed of assembly of the clasp to the covering.

An object of this invention is to provide a positive locking means for the clasp to prevent its longitudinal displacement relative to the covermg.

Another important object of this invention is to provide centering means for the clasp when assembling it to its cover thereby increasing the speed and accuracy of assembly.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a hair fastener embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof with the lower leg of the clasp partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View thereof taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view thereof taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a broken perspective view of the lower part of the clasp which is embedded in the nonmetallic covering.

The metal clasp portion of the fastener is constructed of a springy metal and comprises a lower arm l0 and an upper arm ll joined together by a bend l2. The arm III has a curved bent portion l3 at its end adapted to catch the end M of the arm I l to hold the clasp around the hair when worn.

The lower arm In in the vicinity of its longitudinal center has preferably two cut-out notches l5 and I6 for a purpose to be later described. Any number of notches and any shape therefor may be used and they may be placed anywhere on the arm III.

The covering for the metal clasp comprises a main body portion ll of non-metallic material, preferably made of a hardened molded plastic or thermo-plastic substance such as acetate, cellulose composition, resins, Celluloid, or the like. The front face l8 may be formed or molded in any suitable ornamented shape or design, or it may be plain.

The back of this non-metallic covering is 5 formed with a longitudinal undercut groove l9 of a depth equal to the thickness of the arm [0 and of a width and side Wall contour complementary to the contour of the sides of the arm Ill so that this arm may be fitted and embedded in the groove without extending above the bottom surface of the covering. In other Words, pro- J'ections 20 and 2| are formed in the side walls of the groove 19 in number equal to and in shape complementary to the notches l5 and Hi. In assembled relation, the notches and projections interfit to form a centering means and a locking means for the clasp.

Two parallel longitudinally arranged flanges 22-22 molded or formed integrally with the bottom surface of the covering are arranged alongside the undercut groove [9. They project upwardly and at right angles toward each other and are adapted to receive and hold fast the lower arm In of the clasp.

For assembling the clasp to the ornamental cover, the arm in of the clasp is positioned in the groove l9 between the flanges 2222 and positioned longitudinally so that the notches l5 and I6 fit over the complementary projections 20 and 2|. The flanges 22 are then rolled or bent over the arm in tohold the clasp firmly in place.

After assembly the notches l5, l6 and projections 20, 2| act to retain the clasp in position and prevent its longitudinal displacement.

It may be readily seen that the projections 20 and 2| may be placed on the metal clasp and the complementary notches may be cut in the nonmetallic covering. This equivalent construction is obvious to anyone skilled in the art and will not need to be illustrated.

I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction herein disclosed but mean to include all equivalent structures as might fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a hair fastener of the character described, a clasp comprising two arms, one of said arms having notches therein, a cover for said clasp, projections extending from said cover arranged to fit into said notches of said notched arm, said notches and projections cooperating to prevent accidental endwise displacement of said clasp relative to its cover.

2. In a hair fastener of the character described,

a clasp comprising two arms, one of said arms having notches therein, a. cover for said clasp, projections extending from. said cover arranged to fit into said notches of said notched arm, said notches and projections cooperating to center said clasp upon, its assembly to the cover and thereafter acting to prevent accidental endwise displacement of said clasp relative to its cover.

3. In a hair fastener of the character described, a clasp member, a cover member for said clasp member, a groove in said cover member for receiving an element of said clasp member, notches cut in one of said members, complementary projections of the same shape as the notches extending from the other of said members adapted to interfit with the notches in the notched member, whereby said clasp member is positioned relative to said cover member and is prevented from accidental displacement.

4. In a hair fastener of the character described,

a clasp comprising two arms, one of said arms having notches therein, a cover for said clasp, a groove in said cover adapted to receive said notched arm, projections on the cover member extending into the groove adapted to fit into the notches of the notched arm, whereby to lock said clasp against accidental displacement.

5. Inv a hair fastener of the character described,

a clasp comprising two arms, one of said arms having notches in its sides, a cover for said clasp, a groove in said cover adapted to receive said notched arm, means on said cover arranged longitudinally of said groove for clamping said arm into said groove, projections extending from the side walls of said groove adapted to fit into the notches of the notched arm, said projections and complementary notches acting to center said clasp relative to said cover upon assembly and thereafter acting to prevent accidental displacement of said clasp.

6. In a hair fastener of the character described, a clasp comprising two arms, one of said arms having notches therein, a cover for said clasp, an undercut groove in said cover adapted to receive said notched arm, said groove having side walls, projections extending from the side walls of said groove adapted to fit into the notches of the notched arm, longitudinally arranged flanges eX- tending along the sides of the groove above the top surface thereof for clamping the notched arm into said groove, said projections and complementary notches acting to center said clasp relative to said cover upon assembly and thereafter acting to prevent accidental displacement of said clasp.

PHILIP J. GRAHAM. 

